The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43652

Keri Jupka, MPH¹, Susan N. Lukwago, PhD¹, Caren Bacon, BA², Diana Hawkins, MEd, CHES³, and Matthew W. Kreuter, PhD, MPH¹. (1) Health Communication Research Lab, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St Louis, MO 63104, 314-977-3241, jupkaka@slu.edu, (2) Health Communication Research Laboratory, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St Louis, MO 63104, (3) Bureau of Chronic Disease Control, Missouri Department of Health, 920 Wildwood, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102

Lack of physical activity has been shown to be related to higher incidence of obesity, heart disease and other chronic diseases. Missourians suffer from higher than average rates of these chronic diseases. Increasing the number of Missourians that walk could help decrease the burden of these chronic diseases caused by a lack of physical activity. In this project we conducted 23 focus groups in 22 different communities throughout Missouri to determine barriers to walking and physical activity, as well as to determine what would help Missourians walk more. The groups consisted of community members who were recruited with the help of local health departments, and were moderated by a team from St. Louis University. Questions addressed during the groups included what prevents participants from walking or exercising more, places where participants like to exercise, benefits of exercise, personal motivators to exercise, and who participants look to for health and exercise information. Barriers included both environmental and personal barriers with lack of time and access being two of the most common barriers. Strong motivators included having someone to walk with and having access to safe walking areas. Participants looked to a wide range of sources for information on physical activity and health including local health departments, mass media, and acquaintances. The information collected from the focus groups is being used to develop a walking campaign for the state of Missouri.

Learning Objectives:

Those who attend the session will be able to
• Describe the methodology used to recruit and conduct focus groups in Missouri.
• List a number of barriers to walking and other physical activity in Missouri communities.
• List ways in which Missouri community members believe walking and physical activity can be increased.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Community Participation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.